Archive for the ‘T20 Cricket’ Category

Rex Clementine, in ISLAND, 21 February 2018, where the title is “Mendis was used as opener for tactical reasons – Samaraweera

Sri Lanka’s Batting Coach Tilan Samaraweera shedding light into the decision to open the batting with young Kusal Mendis during the just concluded tour of Bangladesh said that it was more a tactical decision and wasn’t sure whether Sri Lanka would stick to the same strategy moving forward.

Madushka Balasuriya, courtesy of ESPNcricinfo, February 2018, where the title reads “Hathurusingha keen on expanding Sri Lanka’s player pool”

One tour, three formats, three series wins. For Chandika Hathurusingha, it has been the ideal start to his tenure as head coach of Sri Lanka. Speaking on his side’s return home from Bangladesh, a content Hathurusingha cited good communication, tactical flexibility, and a relaxed environment as key elements in Sri Lanka sweeping every trophy on offer. Now, his concentration has shifted to cultivating a strong squad that can compete in various conditions.

Mumbai, Feb 16: Jeevan Mendis’ coach at Tamil Union was “not surprised” with his sensational comeback. The 35-year-old leg break bowler, playing his 17th T-20 match after a gap of more than four and half years, took the wicket with his very first ball against Bangladesh at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur, Dhaka. Not only that, his first three deliveries yielded two wickets. “We knew about his talent and were “not at all surprised” with his bowling”, Kapila Weerasinghe, his coach at the Tamil Union said exclusively.

* Kusal Mendisbeat Thisara Perera by a whisker perhaps — for Man of the Match though his scoring rate was less and he did not take any wickets [he did not bowl]

* Allrounder Dasun Shanaka did not bowl but rendered yeoman service at No. 4 with 42 runs in 25 balls at the rate of 175.00

* Shanaka and Udana marched in ahead of Thisara Perera and all three left Chandimal to bite his fingers in the dressing room. SO: who took that meaningful and effective decision to shuffle the order?Chandimal? OR….. Hathuru? … OR … Think-tank?

What T20 side wouldn’t be jealous of having Ashton Agar? He’s a lock for the Australian T20 team, with national selectors bound to further raid Scorchers’ bowling stocks just before the Big Bash final. His economy rate of 5.51 per over puts him among Big Bash royalty.